Australian Organic Connect | Issue 3 | Spring 2020

Meet Our Awareness Month Ambassador - Lincoln Lewis

Popular Australian actor Lincoln Lewis is today a picture of health, but that wasn’t always the case. The star of House Husbands, Home and Away and Underbelly went through a period of depression in 2018 which led him to comfort eating and a dramatic weight gain.

However, last year, determined to get back on track, he began a concerted health kick by totally overhauling his diet and fitness regime. That renewed plan included incorporating more wholesome organic food into his daily eating.

“I used to absolutely hate vegetables growing up, but now I eat lots of organic vegies every day and other organic products,” he explained. “I feel it’s helped turn my life around and I love knowing that I’m eating such clean produce. I also always look for the Bud logo to make sure a product is certified organic because choosing sustainably produced items is really important to me as I’m a big supporter of the environment.

“I now eat less carbs, more vegetables and more protein. I’m feeling really energized and on top of things physically and mentally.”

As a passionate advocate for organic products, the 32-year-old has enthusiastically embarked on his role as 2020 Australian Organic ambassador. Lincoln recently visited organic farms and producers across his home state of Queensland to learn more about the organic journey and the incredible work producers are doing whilst filming videos for Australian Organic.

The actor said that visiting the producers has been one of the highlights of his year given that many acting productions have been in hiatus. “The passion organic producers have and the quality of certified organic products that are now available is just phenomenal and has really impressed me,” he said.

Lincoln will now be spreading the word about the importance of consumers always looking out for organic certification marks on organic products during Australian Organic Awareness Month, before hitting the acting trail again.

“The COVID-19 restrictions this year have actually given me a chance to focus more on myself, count my blessings, slow down and decompress. I even took up a new hobby of bee-keeping which has been really rewarding. Becoming an ambassador for Australian Organic and all the industry stands for has just been -the icing on the cake.”

We asked Lincoln to tell us more about what he’s learnt on his organic journey so far.

What did you learn from Quentin Kennedy, Managing Director at Kialla Pure Foods, about their certified organic grain and flour milling operation?

After speaking with Quentin and hearing his passion combined with his personal reasons for wanting to eat, live and produce organic foods, I was actually left pretty speechless. His want for every consumer to enjoy the same healthy organic foods that his own family does is the driving force behind that passion and I find that so admirable.

You also heard about organic grain milling and some of the challenges Kialla has faced over recent years, did anything surprise you?

Learning about all the challenges of an organic operation combined with the difficulties every farm and producer goes through such as the drought. That was a big eye opener as it adds another layer of complexity to everything. I think that makes me appreciate all the hurdles they’ve had to jump over to ensure what they produce and what we are eating is as natural and healthy as it can possibly be.

At Cleaver’s Organic Meats you spoke to Marketing Manager Paul Da Silva and had a go at cooking up some organic hotdogs in their iconic hotdog van. What was that like?

It was a lot of fun and the hotdogs were delicious! I loved hearing Paul talk about “taking things back old school” – speaking about how things were 100 years ago, when organic was just the norm, but nowadays things are being relabeled as “organic”.

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Lincoln with Quentin Kennedy at Kialla Pure Foods

“The passion organic producers have and the quality of certified organic products that are now available is just phenomenal.” - Lincoln Lewis

Lincoln speaking to Adrian Tiller at Sherwood Road Organic Meats

It’s also reassuring to be able to trace the food you’re eating back to the farm where it was produced. I think as a consumer that’s a big comfort.

What most surprised you about the differences in certified organic meat versus conventional meat?

The main thing was learning about how much effort goes in to ensuring a high standard so they can say their meat is certified organic. We are so lucky that we can easily access such products.

You also met with Paul Brooking at Fordsdale Organic Farms, which produces organic fruit and vegetables. What did you learn about the different methods used in certified organic farming, particularly in horticulture?

One thing gave me an even greater sense of appreciation for the produce was that organic farming doesn’t use synthetic pesticides and much more time and effort is spent weeding the crops by hand. It was also really interesting to hear Paul talk about seasonal crop rotation to ensure the soil has time to regenerate to ensure longevity in the land. We’ve become so to accustomed to the processes of mass produced food but sustainable farming truly is the only way to go.

When you visited independent retailer Market Organics and spoke to General Manager Mike Shanley were you surprised to see such a range of certified organic products on offer?

Yes - I really was blown away by how many companies have taken the organic path. It’s great to know that the consumer is being listened to and these brands are leading the way for a healthier and more sustainable future. From the fruit and vegie section, to all different kinds of packaged foods, drinks and supplements, to cosmetics and even organic wine and pet food, I was really blown away by the massive range. It made me really happy seeing that.

Speaking to Amy and Adrian Tiller at Sherwood Road Organic Meats, who sell organic meat from their family farm, what did they tell you about their background and passion for what they do?

Firstly, I learnt how Adrian is a fourth generation livestock farmer and how happy he was to go organic as he’s now producing meat the same way his family did before him - just with more modern techniques. Being able to trace the food on your plate back to the farm where it was produced gives me, as a consumer, a lot of confidence. The environment and animal welfare is very important to me, so knowing the meat is all free range and grass fed puts these guys at the head of the pack when it comes to ethical production.

As you spend a lot of times outdoors in the Queensland sun, what do you think the benefits are of using certified organic products on your skin such as the ones available at Conscious Kin, which stocks certified organic beauty brands?

When applying products to your skin you’ve got to think of the long-term benefits or damage you could be doing. I’ve got sensitive skin when it comes to synthetic chemicals, so I can see a real difference when I use only natural or certified organic skin products. No one likes bad skin, particularly an actor!

At Coles and Woolworths, were you surprised by the variety in their different certified organic ranges?

I was actually quite blown away by the variety that’s now available. For so many years the organic range has always been quite small and all together in a select part of the store, but now the certified organic range is spread throughout which is awesome to see. Having so much choice really makes a difference to what you eat.

And secondly, WHY these producers and companies have made the switch to organic and sustainable practices.

The people behind the brands and companies all have very personal stories and motivations as to why organic is important to them. I also loved how every single one of them said to me, “I noticed the change when I started eating organic produce and so did my family. That’s all the proof we need when it comes to organics.”

Finally, what should consumers be aware of when buying organic products?

Many companies claim their products are organic when they haven’t been officially certified. People always need to look for organic certification marks such as the Bud logo on the labels. That way you know strict standards have been met and you can be assured what you’re consuming or using is of the highest possible standard when it comes to organics.

Left: Lincoln with Mike Shanley at Market Organics. Top: Lincoln and Paul Brooking at Fordsdale Organic Farms. Below: Lincoln and Paul da Silva at Cleaver’s Organic Meats.

Out of everything you learned about certified organic whilst filming, what stands out the most?

Two things. Firstly, the high quality standards which needs to be met in order to have the official Bud logo on your product.